Tantrism in Nepal

Movement
from with the Mahayana school appeared in first century AD in fringe areas of
India. Hindus and Buddhists came into contact with animistreligions and
integrated beliefs and practices. Yoga, physical exercises to control body
functions, mantras, repetitive utterances, bijas, magicsyllables, use of
designs and objects such as mandala and dorjee. Transformed into Lamaism which
penetrated also into Nepal. Purpose was to shorten the road to enlightenment
with such practices.

Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels take prayers to the sky, to
the divinities. Idea that movement creates power. Prayer wheels rotated
clockwise to send mantra to the divinities. Usually brass cylinder with
pre-Sanskrit script, ranja, writing. The wheel contains parchment like paper
upon which the Tibetan incantation OM MANI PADME HUM (image top) is repeatedly
printed. Some rough translations of this mantra are

Oh, the jewel (mani) concealed in the lotus (padma) ah. One
specific interpretation of this incantation is that of a prayer the Boddhisatva
Padmapani who controls reincarnation

Oh, Padmapani, give me the jewel in the lotus, which is the
blessing on non-rebirth or attainment of Nirvana through the acceptance of the
Buddhist doctrine. A more general interpretation is Oh, may the jewel remain in
the lotus, meaning may Buddha's teachings remain pure in our minds and souls.

Vajra or Dorje looks like two crowns with bases attached by
a metal ball. Each crown has four outer spokes and one inner spoke to represent
the meditation Buddhas, united at the top to convey that they are but one.
Means "thunderbolt" symbolic attribute of Hindu god Indra who is the
divine power of natural forces, and the "diamond", the substance that
is translucent and unbreakable. The Dorje is primarily a symbol of power but is
also a representation of the male.

Ghanta, the bell is bronze and topped with crown shaped
handle. The bell symbolizes the female. In a metaphysical sense, male
represents knowledge and female represents wisdom. Both important to rituals statues
and temples for Buddha or to Bodhisattvas.

Chaitya, a somewhat conical stone structure, shrines for
gratitude or worship. Always show four statues representing each of the
dhyana-Buddhas or meditation Buddhas.

Facing north, Buddha
Amogasiddhi with right hand upward and palms outward to express fearlessness
and blessing (associated with green).

Facing east,
Buddha Akshobya, right hand outstretched with fingers touching earth calling
Earth-goddess to witness that Buddha resisted temptations put forth by demon
Mara who was trying to lure him away from his meditations. Also thought of as
calling to witness Buddha's deserving supreme enlightenment. (blue)

Some chaityas or
scrolls show a fifth central figure, the Buddha Vairocana who is above or in
the middle of the previously mentioned four. Hands folded in front of chest he
is perfect sovereignty as "turning the wheel of the Buddhist
doctrine." white.

Another common
Buddhist statue is that of the Tara, either white or green Tara.
Were the two wives of Srong Tsam Gampo, King of Tibet that they converted to
their faith, Buddhism. Deified.

Bodhisattvas honored
often are Padmapani, holds a lotus flower and is master or reincarnations.
Manjushri is honored as bearer of wisdom by Buddhists and Hindus. Holds book of
knowledge in left hand and a sword to strike ignorance with right.

A historical look
demonstrates that artistic expression reflects the religious and ethnic
diversity within the valley. Nepalese art became prominent in the 13th century
through the work of Balbahu, also known as Arniko, an architect for the king of
Tibet
and possibly the Emperor of China. Nepalese art is recognized for its candour,
simplicity and harmony balanced with intricacy and decoration. The Malla
dynasty promoted all forms of artistic expression from the 14th to the 19th
centuries. Tibetan forms of expression influenced art in the valley beginning
in the 17th century. Tantric and Buddhist themes introduced greater
differentiation between Nepalese and Indian art.

Group Joining Tour - 2016 is open for all Nepal tour and trekking packages organize by Adventure Land Nepal Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd and Nepal Jang Treks and Expedition for Tour, Trekking, Peak Climbing and Expedition.